Bowling alley



Aug. 24, 1943. c. w. HAR'rwIG BOWLING ALLEY Filed Feb. 9. 1939 10Sheets-Sheet 1 rfr I Aug. 24, 1943.

BOWLING ALLEY C. W. HARTWIG Filed Feb. 9. lsa

10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aus- 24, 1943. c. w. HARTWIG 2,327,350

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Feb. 9, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 24, '1943. c. w.HARTwlG BOWLING ALLEY Filed Feb. 9. 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 mmq Aug. 24,1943. c. w. HAR-rwlc; 2,327,350

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Feb. 9, '1939 1o sheets-sheet e Aug. 24, 1943. c. w.HAR'rwlG 2,327,350

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Feb. 9, 1939 10 sheets-sheet '7 Aug. 24, 1943- c.HAR-rm@ 2,327,350

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Feb. 9. 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Aug. 24, 1943.

Filed Feb. 9, 195e C. W. HARTWIG BOWLING ALLEY 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Aug-24, 1943- c. "w. HARr-wlca 2,327,350

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Fhb. I9. 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Patented Aug. 24,1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicle.N

2,327,350 BOWLING ALLEY Charles W. Hartwig, Hastings cnHusdon, N. Y.Application'ebruary 9, 1939, Serial No. 255,506 s, claims. `(o1. 27a-44)This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to abowling alley.

Prior to my invention, it has been common to have an attendantassociated with one or two alleys whose duties involved thelresetting ofpins for each ,frame removal of fallen pins, and the returning of ballsto the player. are laborious, exacting, arduous, and not a littledangerous, as accidents caused bya ying pin or ball have not beeninfrequent.

It is important that the pins be precisely set up in accordance with theaccepted or standard geometrical arrangement, if the game is to be fairtoy all of the players involved and the scores to be commensurate withthe skill of the player. It will be understood, therefore,.that it isdesirable to eliminate the human element `from the arrangement of thepins and insure `the same setting of the said pins to all players.

It has been proposed that certain templates'be utilized to assist inarranging the pins in amore or less precise manner, These prior deviceshave been crude and impracticaland many Vof them still require manualadjustment of the template whichis of course undesirable.

It is an object of my invention to provide Aa fully automatic bowlingalley of simple and foolproof construction.

,It is a further object of my invention to provide an automatic pinsetting device for use in conjunction with a bowling alley. y

@ther objects and the nature and Vadvantages of the invention will beapparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a miniature bowling alley with part of themechanism shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View with part shown in elevation and part insection illustrating the pin aligning mechanism; i f

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but-with the pins in a diierentposition;

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3;y

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line5--5 of Fig. 3 andlooking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. `6 `is a fragmentary side elevational View with parts illustratedin elevation and parts `in section, showing that portion of themechanism adjacent the ball propellingapparatus;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary topplan viewgof'that portionY of the mechanismadjacent the balLpropeiling mechanism:

These dutiesv Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View illustrating the ballpropelling mechanism, the coin slot and the locking mechanism;

Fig. 9 is the view taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 6; and looking in thedirection of the `arrows;

Fig. 10 is a View taken along line I 0-I0 of Fig. 6 and looking in thedirection of the arrows; v

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary view with parts in elevation and partsinsection illustrating the ball propelling A mechanism;

Fig. 12 isa detail inelevation of vva portion of theball returnmechanism; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the mechanism illustrated `in Fig.1,2.

Referring to Fig'. 1, a base Ihas secured thereto vertical frame membersi I, I2, I3 and I4 which together vaid in the support of the variouselements and mechanisms ofthe automatic bowling alley to be described.The machine in Fig. 1 is shown with its cabinet in place enclosing theoperating mechanism. f

Figs. 2, 3, lland 5 disclose in detail the mechanism and its operationor the automatic pin setting arrangement of the apparatus. The thereindisclosed pins I5 are guided or controlled from both their top andbottom ends respectively, being aligned by rods I 6 which are centrallydisposed in sliding cooperation with bores I1 arranged in predeterminedgeometrical pattern through the alley proper I8 at its far end. As

the frame I9 of the mechanism is lowered, the

pins I5 loosely supported by chains 2D aiixed thereto are guided each totheir predetermined position on the alley proper whereby al1 thepinscooperate' to form the desired precise geometrical pattern. Verticalshafts 2| permit the bearings 22 formed in the frame I9 to slidablycooperate therewith to insure smooth action of the aligning rods I6. Theshafts 2I are fixed tothe base I0 by suitable bracket means 23 as shownin detail in Fig. 2 and tothe gutters 24 associated with the alley I8 bymeans of suitable sockets 25.

The pins .I5 in ytheir raised yposition clear of the alley IV areadapted to be held Within sockets 2G, formed of rubber or similarcushioning material, and which are adapted to be` supported within aframe 21 which -in turn is pivotally supported about a shaft 28 whichacts as ,a fulcrum,-and comprises side. arms 29 which areeach xedlysecured to Kthe frameZl at one ofgtheir ends and pvotally secured to theshaft 28 at their opposite ends, whereby whenthepins are raised bymechanism to be describedtheshock transmitted to the sockets by theimpact from the ascending pins I5 will be readily absorbed sanstransmission of vibration to the apparatus and whereby injury to thechains 26 which may bedelicate in their construction is prevented.

Pins I5, referring to Fig. 3 in particular, are constructed in a mannerto be described in detail later and when struck by a ball in play theyexert a pull upon chains 28 causing a downward or clockwise movement oflevers 36 which are fastened to the members 3l which in turn arepivotally supported at 32. This downward pull on the upper portions ofchains 2e when sucient to counteract the pull of gravity on the weightssecured to the far ends of the levers 3o effects a clockwise partialrotation of the levers 33 which are formed with hooked ends 34cooperating with keeper bar 35, whereby when the member 33 is freedtherefrom, the relatively large weight 35 arranged on the far end oflever 3?, pivotally mounted at 33, causes `partial rotation of the lever3'! and fixedly associated elements in a counter-clockwise direction,thereby elevating the pins I5 to the sockets 25. The lever 33 ispivotally mounted at 32 to that end of the lever 5'! closer lto the pinsI5 whereby motion of the lever Si is transmitted to the pins l5 throughthe lever 33, the rods 56, and the chains 26. When a reset is desired inthe playing of a game on the apparatus, at the end of each frame; thatis, when it is desired that the pins be reset for additional play eventhough some pins may remain standing before the reset' is made, all thepins are caused to ascend to their respective sockets 2e as will now be'described.

Y Movement of the pin'reset device, later to be described in detail,causes the operating rod 3Q to move to the right in the direction of thearrow, referring to Fig. 3, which causes partial rotation of the bellcrank im in a counterclockwise direction.

This bell crank 4i) is Secured at its center of rotation l to the shaft52 (seeFig, 5) which rotates therewith; VSecured to the shaft 42 by thecollar portion d3 of the integrally formed lever arm lia, forcorresponding movement therewith, is the dash pot mechanism 45. Cylinderi6 and cooperating piston l'I generally comprise the major elements ofthe dash pot 45 which prevents too rapid a down vmovement of thegenerally horizontal arm 46a of the bell crank 4i! when the lever 3i) iscaused by mechanism, to be later described, to move to the left. Theaction of the dash pot is controlled by the bleed valve arrangement 58which may be adjusted by rotation of the knurled thumb screw 49.

Pivotally attached to the lever arm it by the pin is a generallyvertically operating ro-d 5l pivotally secured vby the pin 52 to the,lever 53 mounted for rotation on shaft 54. The side of the lever 53 isarranged to frictionally engage the lever 55 which is also mounted forrotation about shaft 54 in order that when operating rod 5I is caused tomove vertically upward, lever 53 will rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection and frictionally engage lever 55 causing it to move generallycounter-clockwise in order that the engaging plate 55 formed integrallywith lever 55 will engage the camlike end of lever 33 and trans- Init toit a motion causing it to be released from keeper bar 35 at which timethe pull of gravity c-n weight 36 will make for rotation of .the lever31 in counter-clockwise direction, causing the mechanism alreadydescribed to eifect a pull on chain 26 and thereby effect the ascensionof all and is pivotally secured to the remaining pins i5 into theircorresponding sockets 26.

Further upward movement of the arm 46a of the bell crank 40 which ispivotally attached at its outer end by the pin 51 to the link 58,secured at its lower end to the frame I9 which supports the verticalaligning rods I6, causes precise vertical ascension of the verticalaligning rods I5 until they reach the upper limit of their movementwithin the bores 58 of the pins I5 within the sockets 26 as shown inFig. 2. The upward movement of the arm 40a of the bell crank 40 furthercauses vertical upward movement of the operating member 66 which ispivotally secured to arm 46a, by pin 6I at its lower end, the lever 52by pin 63 at its upper end. The lever 62 transmits its motion to thegear wheel 64 through the medium of pawl member 65 which is pivotallysecured to the lever` member 62 and is caused to engage ratchet wheel 66by spring 61 secured to the lever 62 by fastening means 66. Rotation ofthe lever 62 in a counterclockwise direction brings the pawl 65 aroundinto engagement with a tooth on ratchet wheel 66 which is looselymounted on shaft 5, and rotation of lever member 62 in a clockwisedirection causes rotation of ratchet member 66 in `a correspondingdirection whereby gear 64 which is fastened to ratchet 66 will likewisemove in a clockwise direction and cause movement of the gear wheel 61',with which it meshes, in a counterclockwise direction. The cam member 68is secured to the gear Wheel 61 and its rotation transmits motionthrough follower roller 69 to lever cam 10, to which is secured,engaging bar 'II which raises levers 31 and permits levers 33 to drop,whereby their respective ends 34 will 'again engage keeper bar 35.

The spring pressed locking pawl 'I2 cooperates with the ratchet member66 to prevent counterclockwise rotation of same as the pawl 62 rotatesabout the ratchet 66 for engagement with the next succeeding tooth. Thelever cam 'I0 is maintained in its proper position, whereby roller 69will operatively engagecam 68', by spring 'I3 which is attached at itsupper end to cam member 'I0 and at its lower end 'I4 to the frame of themachine. n

Referring to Fig. ll in particular, it is to be noted that therods 30are bent so that their ends, to which are secured chains 26, will be inthe Aproper position to correspond with the proper alignment of the pinsand further that the weights 30 are of such size as to correspond to thelength of the rods 30, i, e. the longer the rod 36 ,the larger thecorresponding weight 30', respectively. With the operation of themechanism just described the pins I5 secured at their upper ends tochains 26 will descend to their positions on the alley I8 in theirproper precise geometrical alignment.

Referring to Fig. 1, the vertical frame element I3 has journaled thereina shaft 'I5 upon which is fixedly mounted the cam 16 adapted to rotatein the direction of the arrow, as shown, causing the bell crank 'I'I tooscillate and transmit a generally reciprocatory motion to thehorizontally disposed rod 39 whereby the mechanism already describedwill be caused to function as explained. This shaft is driven from themotor M by a suitable gear train G shown diagramm'atically in Fig. 6.

At that end of the alley I3 remote, from the end at which the pins I 5are located, is arranged 2;8W735'0 the mechanism for 'propulsion of theballs Awhich i are utilized in the gameto strike the pinsdown',

ments.

well known coin operated mechanisms, wherein a coin must first beinserted to unlock the mechanism for a period of play, at thetermination'of` which period, the machine again-locksunti1 an-` othercoin is inserted.

Referring to Figs. 6', 7; and'j 'al slide T8-'is'- adapted toreceivea-coin within thewut'outpor'- tion `19,- and 4when pushedinwardlywithVthe 'coirr therein permits operating engagement' of' the slide 'i8 withoperating member 80 formed' with projectinglug 80 which is adapted'toslide horizontallyupon the xed tableportion` 8| ntoierrgagement with pin82 carried by swingableA cam" 83, pivotally supported by stubsh'aft 84tothe' frameof the apparatus.

This operation causes the 'swingable cam'member 83Y to rotate incounter-clockwise'direction eifecting engagement of the cam face 85`with a follower roller86 secured to arm 87 which transmits a generallyclockwise motion throughshaft SS'to the arm 89 which isy pivotallysecured by pin 9|) to the vertical depending operating member 9| causingan upward movement lthereof and carrying with V it the-generallyhorizontally disposedflocking lever 92 byreason of a hooked formation931integral with memberY ill5 which is adapted'toengage pinvQllsecuredto member 92. The member. 92 is arrangedto'pivot about alpin 95xedlyv secured to the frame. Theupward movement of the operating lever9| when-the hooked formation engages pin- SVmakes for the rotation ofthe locking leverV 925- inr a` counter-4 clockwise `directionand liftsthe engaging-portion 95 ofthe lever.y 92' from the locking. pinfS-'Ilsecuredv to the generally vertical leveriniember-` 98 andthe lockingping @9 from the slotV |00 in;` wheel- I I'. The noW- released? levermember 98 Will pivot about the pinV ||J21 under. the influence` off'whenthe two elements mentioned register.. Withl the lever member98..releas'ed`i andreadyf' for operation, with'azball` I I0; see Fig. 7,inposition infront ofE the gun or. propelling.` member generallyindicated at III, the element I|2.Y may be urged in a directiontowardthe ball by.. operation of the gun handle |13*A until.' said?ele'- ment I I2 engages the upper portion of 'the lever' member 98a, seeFig; 6,. against thev action of the spring |03, causing the' camsurface: IIIIf formed atr the lower endI of lever' member: |38` toengage the roller I I5. at the end oflthe armi H501? thebell crank IITpivotally mountedf on shaft Ilfcausing same torotateina clockwisedirection and carry With-it ratchetwheel IIB.v

frictionally engaging the side surfaoe'oflthefbell crankA II'l, saidengagement being effected through the medium of spring |20 which urgesthe ratchet wheel IIQtOWard thev side surface:

of the bell crank IIL This motion of the lever member 98 causes rotationof theratchet wheel` H9: in an: amount? equal `to.4 one notch: when` the1 pawll lf2-I again locklsf thefratchet IIIS. Further movement/ofi thegun handle ||3E of the vgun or` propelling member I'IiI Wi1lcause`shooting' orI propulsiony off theball! I |05; asl willi later bedescribedin'detail; towardithe pinsA I arrafngedain. geometricalalignment att the far end'ofi thel alley.. A'sy `th1e-= ralfcl'iet wheelHf isi rotated an= amount equalto= one notch,- which'correspondstoloneball; an'dwlienthe carrying' cupi |2'8is ini its Alowermostposition;y balli elevatoriI stop G1 is moved-'downwardly'outfof' the path]` of the: ball; Witli-the1^gunfpushed forward tofeiectpropulsion; arm 9U contactsarm-B andaffectsmove ment'r ofarmlBdownwardly against-the action of l the spring S;- thereby moving ballstop E--outwof the pathoff the balli in engagement therewith;-

V and i"releasing sameto 2roll linto carrying cup1 I 28;

Asmotion'- *off the carrying-f cup: is-` eie'cted; upe wardly to' itsuppermosty positioni ball elevator' stopt;1 'rises 1 (se'eFigs:12.1a'nd113rl1, underf the 1in.-

fluence-off'springiS; to obstruct the path ofthe next succeeding ball.When-fV the'v gun is movedi rearwardly yand'theA arm 982 isi outllofAengagement. with-arm Byball stop yE lrisesvto additionallyfobestructthe'ball path.. When, theelevator cup'G.'

. andlv move! the pivotallyl connected membersv 93:'`

and' 986 andraise` the pivotallyy mount'edl ball holdingwnger H, whichisin turn-engaged by.

the'. lever.` 98",' see Figs. 6. and 7. Fastenedto sha-ft. |2515. to.:which. armv I 29E isv also. secured;

\ thevl lever |13" is. also associated with. dashpoty |114ithroughlt'hezmedium of frodz I 'Ilialthereby gradually lowering ofthearm. |219` may be. effectedr untillst'op |161- is encountered.

.'Ilhougn` several: b-allsf may be supplied pen' .45.frame'onset-upof'thepins, tWo balls arear'i-A rangedfto bezsupplied. foreachset= up ofthe pins. One. complete rotationof shalt.. 15; see Fig. 6,-.effects the operation ofi' the ballelevatingfmecm anismttwice: through:cam.v |24: and pin settings.

o" mechanism: once throughy cam 'I 6, .bell crank. l 'Iz and generally.-horizontally disposed rod 39;,the cam |24- havingatwo operating. peaks.Whereas cam '16"'y hasY butl one. To receive af second ballr for theparticular game played` it`Y isY necessary 55.f`or.` the operatorv toldepress' the member. |22

whichclosesa switchof anzelectrical'circuit, not" shown,andfcauses'anelectric motor M to rotatel shaft 'I5 by mechanism=describedv later one half` a: revolution; on" which shaft lismountedcam4 I 24 l .Y adaptedfto engage follower |25arrangedonlever|26ipivotallyrsecured to the frame byfshaft |21; which leven has aballcarrying cup |128 formed; integralwith its arm |29..

Rotationof the. cam |24, onefhalfv revolutiong. .f depresses thefollower |25 causing the* arm |28.:

to rotate inazgenerally countereclockwise direction carrying a. ball'Whichhas been. returnedf from the alleyfafterfhaving been1played,through themediumsofreturn runway |30, upwardito. ai position@ I3 I 1fromwhichiit may.y run along guide wayV |32, see'lig;V 7; to a positionbeneath'. theA stop |331' which Willbe later d'escribedin detail andiWhichf` is; disposed in. direct firing alignment? with the gun or;`propellingl :mechanism` I1| l1.

Referring: again toFig.: 6;. asti the;v cam |242?y depresses the shortarm of lever |26, the member |34 secured thereto at its upper portion isrotated in a counter-clockwise direction into engagement with rod |35.Two brackets |36 supported to the frame, as shown, have formed thereinopenings |31 through which is slidably arranged the rod |35 which, atthe lower portion of the gun end of the machine, engages the arm |38 ofthe bell crank ||1 which has formed integral therewith engaging portion|39 which makes for good operative engagement of the rod |35 with thebell crank With rotation of the cam |24 in a clockwise direction,follower |25 is depressed, rotating lever |26 in a counterclockwisedirection causing the member |34 to also rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection and engage rod |35 moving it bodily toward the lower portionof the gun end of the apparatus and effecting rotation of the bell crank||1 in a counter-clockwise direction in an amount corresponding to onetooth on ratchet wheel ||9. Movement of the bell crank ||1 in acounterclockwise direction does not cause movement of the ratchet wheelas the two are not fastened together but merely frictionally engage eachother as already explained and further the locking pawl |2| preventscounter-clockwise rotation of the ratchet Wheel H9. The Wheel |6| isformed on its periphery at spaced intervals of 120, with slots |60 asalready explained andthe ratchet wheel ||9 which is adapted to 'rotatetherewith is formed with ten teeth in the sector bounded by radiiextending from the center of shaft ||8 to two successive slots |66,respectively, whereby once the lever has been raised by the mechanismalready described and the locking pin S9 moved out of engagement withthe slot |06, see Fig. 8, the wheel mayrotate with the pin 99 riding onthe outer periphery of the wheel |9| until the next succeeding slot |66comes into position beneath the pin 99 when the machine will again belocked until another coin is inserted and the mechanism once more madeready for play, and whereby during the period of rotation of the wheel|6| from one slot |06 to the next succeeding slot beneath the pin 99,the ratchet ||9 will have been rotated in an amount corresponding to tenof its teeth, each of which teeth correspond to the playing of a singleball effecting the playing of ten balls for each coin inserted into themachine.

The mechanism already referred to as the gun or ball propellingmechanism, see Fig. l1, comprises a base portion anchored to the frame,as shown, upon which is mounted a ball rest |4| having its outercontours so formed as to receive a ball ||0 in alignment with firing rod|42 The base portion |49k is bored to take fixed stub shaft |43 aboutwhich the gun carriage |44 is mounted for swivel action by reason of theintegrally formed bearing portion |45 being mounted for oscillationabout the fixed stub shaft |43. The lock screw |46, the collar |41, andlock screw |48 maintain the fixed shaft |43 in position to permit theoscillation of the gun carriage |44 thereabout, whereby the firing rod|42 may be so aimed relative to the ball HG, the alley I8 and the pins|5, whereby the ball ||0 may be propelled or shot down the alley towardany of the pins in a manner similar or corresponding to that of a bowleron a full size regulation alley who directs the rolling of his ball in adirection toward any of the pins still standing and at a desired anglethereto. Mounted upon the gun carriage |44, and in fixed relationthereto, is a member 49 which acts as a bearing for the rear portion |50of the firing rod |42. This member |49 has a portion |5| which extendsfrom bearing relation with the end |50 of the ring rod |42 through acurved upper portion |52 of the gun carriage |44 and which extension isgenerally cylindrically arranged on its interior whereby it acts as ahousingfor firing spring |53. Arranged between the element |49 and thegun carriage |44, and in fixed relation to both, is the member |54,which houses the gun return spring |55. As the gun handle ||3 is movedtoward thevball, the horizontal pin |10, secured to the upper portion ofthe element ||2, engages spring pressed rocker lock element |1,pivotally secured at |12, which acts to release the firing pin |42 whichmoves forward at relatively great velocity energized by spring |53, toeffect motion of the ball to be played. The training of the gun or thedirecting of the firing angle thereof is effected by manual rotation ofknurled knob |56 which is mounted on one end of shaft |51 in bearingrelation to the main frame and to which is secured the rotatable arm|58. The arcuate link |59 is pivotally secured at one end to the arm |58and at its other end to bracket |69 bolted or otherwise secured to thegun carriage |44. With this arrangement, the gun may be accurately setand securely held for firing by the operator.

Upon insertion of coin into the coil slot 19 and manual operation of theslide 18, and depression of the member |22, see Fig. 6, the electricalcircuit including switch |69, not shown but previously referred to, willbe closed to energize the relay |6|, see Fig. l0, pulling the armature|62 downwardly and the weighted arm |63 carrying weight |64 generally tothe left whereby frictional engagement of the motor pulley |64' and thelarge pulley |65, mounted on flexible shaft |66, is effected. Rotationof pulley |65 drives shaft 15 through worm |61 and gear |68 whereby thepin setting and ball returning mechanism described will be operateduntil the electric circuit is again opened by switch |69.

A player or operator of the apparatus upon unlocking of same for play byinsertion of a coin or otherwise, may have made available to him anumber of balls, for example ten balls. For each two pin set ups, one ofthe available ten balls will be made ready for propulsion by theapparatus so that the game may be divided into five frames of tWo ballsper frame. Though the operator or player may effect as many pin set upsas desired, one pin set up per frame is all that is necessary. Uponcompletion of five frames during which .the ten balls have beenpropelled down the alley the apparatus automatically locks itself untilanother coin is inserted or the machine otherwise unlocked for play. Thenumber of balls made available to the player may be modified and alsothe number of frames to the game may be Varied without departing fromthe invention. For example the apparatus may be readily redesigned tooffer 30 balls to the player and the game comprise ten frames of threeballs per frame to be played with one set up per frame.

What I claim is:

l. In a game apparatus including a bowling alley floor, a plurality ofpins adapted to be vertically arranged on the floor adjacent one end 0fthe alley, and ball propelling means at the opposite end of the alley,means arranged above the pins on the alley floor for individuallyraising the pins upwardly from the alley when moved out of verticalposition by a ball from said propelling means, and pin resetting meansincluding pin engaging means normally positioned below the alley doorand each of the pins thereof, said pin engaging means being movableupwardly through the alley floor for collectively engaging and aligningeach of the pins with said means while in raised position above thefloor and for lowering and guiding the pins to predetermined resetpositions upon the alley floor.

2. In a game apparatus including a bowling alley oor, a plurality ofpins adapted to be vertically arranged on the iloor adjacent one end ofthe alley, and ball propelling means at the opposite end of the alley,ilexible means suspended from points above the alley and connecting saidpins for individually raising the pins upwardly from the alley whenmoved o-ut of vertical position by a ball from said propelling meanspandpin resetting means comprising a plurality of rods supported below thealley oor and each of the pins thereon, said rods being verticallymovable through the alley door for engaging and aligning each of thepins therewith while in raised position above the floor and for loweringand guiding the pins to predetermined reset positions upon the alleyfloor.

3. The structure dened in claim l, together with means associated withsaid resetting means for cushioning the lowering and guiding movementsthereof to the predetermined reset position of the pins on the alley.

4. The structure defined in claim l, together with dash-pot meansconnected with said resetting means for controlling the cushioning andlowering and guiding movements thereof to the predetermined resetposition of the pins on the alley.

5. In a game apparatus including a bowling alley 'oor, a plurality ofpins adapted to be vertically arranged on the floor adjacent one end ofthe alley, Iand ball propelling means at the opposite end of the alley,flexible means suspended from points above the alley and connecting saidpins for individually raising the pins upwardly from the alley whenmoved out of vertical position by a ball from said propelling means,latching means for preventing the raising of the pins by the flexiblemeans, said latching means being under the control of the flexible meansin response to movement of the pins out of Vertical position on thealley, pin resetting means cornprising,r a plurality of rods supportedbelow the alley floor and each of the pins thereon, said rods beingvertically movable through the alley floor for engaging and aligningeach of the pins therewith While in raised position above the floor andfor lowering and guiding the pins to predetermined reset positions uponthe alley floor, and means connected with said resetting means forcushioning the lowering and guiding movements of the pins to thepredetermined reset vertical positions on the alley.

6. The structure defined in claim 5, in which the cushioning meanscomprises dash-pot means connected with said resetting means forcontrolling and cushioning the lowering and guiding movements of thepins to the predetermined reset vertical positions on the alley.

CHARLES W. HARTWIG.

